Transportation
Traveling by plane
According to top-medical-schools, Indonesia has a good national flight network connecting most major cities with Jakarta. Domestic flights depart from Jakarta’s Soekarno Hatta International Airport and Halim Perdanakusuma Airport near Jakarta. Among others, Garuda Indonesia (GA), Citilink QG and Lion Air (JT) operate domestic air traffic in Indonesia.
Air Travel Note
The airport taxes are already included in the ticket price.
Traveling by car/bus
The Indonesian road network covers around 370,000 km. Tolls: In Indonesia, about 530 km of highways are subject to tolls. For example, fees are payable for the route between Nusa Dua, Ngurah Rai (airport) and Benoa in Bali. Payment can be made in cash, electronically or at machines. Crossing the Surmadu Bridge between Java and Madura Island is also subject to a fee. Gas stations are usually available everywhere. In remote areas, such as palm plantations in Kalimantan or Sumatera, there are only rarely official gas stations; at the usual fuel dispensers there, you often pay double or triple the price.
Right-hand traffic/left-hand traffic
Left
Condition of the roads
Just over half of the entire road network is paved. Java has the best road network; Bali and Sumatra follow in second place. The road condition on the other islands is sometimes very poor.
Car rental
Rental cars are offered by local companies. Cars with a driver can be rented by the hour or by the day at a fixed price. Prices for rental cars with a driver are relatively cheap, which is why this option should always be preferred to self-driving given the difficult traffic in Indonesia.
Taxi
Taxis can be found in all cities – few have meters. For safety reasons, it is advisable to book taxis at the hotel reception or by calling a taxi company and not to hail them on the street. Becaks (bicycle rickshaws) also operate in many cities (except Jakarta). Becak fares must be negotiated in advance.
Bicycle
Because of the high risk of accidents, especially in Bali and Lombok, renting scooters or bicycles is not advisable.
Coach
Long-distance buses run between most cities. For cumbersome journeys with multiple transfers, however, you often have to calculate more than one day. It takes 2 days to travel by bus from Jakarta to Bali. Public buses are often overcrowded. Private companies offer comfortable coaches on many routes, for which tickets usually have to be booked the day before. For example, Lorena Transport operates an extensive bus network in Java and Sumatra. Light meals are often included in the fare on long-haul routes, and many of these private buses offer air conditioning, video and toilet. Until Malam (night buses) serve long distances, Bemos (minibuses) are available at hotels, airports, cities and tourist areas.
Regulations
Traffic regulations: – Left-hand traffic. – There is no blood alcohol limit. Accidents under the influence of alcohol can, however, be punished with imprisonment. Speed limits: – urban: 40-60 km/h (60-70 km/h on some city streets); – extra-urban: 60-80 km/h; – on main roads: 80-100 km/h. Speed limits may vary across the country as they are set by local authorities. There are also minimum speeds that are 20 km/h below the maximum speed allowed.
Roadside Assistance
The ADAC foreign emergency call offers ADAC members and holders of ADAC foreign health and accident insurance comprehensive assistance in the event of vehicle breakdowns, traffic accidents, loss of documents and money, and medical emergencies. The emergency number is available around the clock; for vehicle damage: Tel. +49 (89) 22 22 22, for illnesses: +49 (89) 76 76 76. The ADAC partner club in Indonesia is Ikatan Motor Indonesia (IMI), Jakarta, Tel. +62 (21) 571 20 32
Documentation
The international driver’s license must be carried along with the national driver’s license.
Traveling in the city
Jakarta is the only city in the country with a well-functioning bus network. Bajaj (motorized, three-wheeled vehicles with space for two passengers) also operate in the city and can be rented by the hour or for single trips. The price should be agreed before departure. Taxis and minibuses are also available. There are light rail services in Jakarta, Bandung and Surabaya.
Locally on the way by train
The Indonesian railway network covers around 7000 km of railway tracks on Sumatra, Madura and Java. Indonesian Railways is state-owned and operated by PT Kereta Api. There are three non-contiguous railway networks in Sumatra (Aceh and North Sumatra, West Sumatra, South Sumatra and Lampung). An extensive railway network is available on Java. Express trains run between major cities, such as the Argo Bromo Anggrek, which connects Jakarta to Surabaya and has dining and sleeping cars. There are three different classes. 1st class (Eksekutif) is air-conditioned and one meal is provided. 2nd class compartments (Bisnis) mostly have fans. There is also the Ekonomi class (Economy).
Traveling by ship
Pelni, the largest Indonesian shipping company, offers ferry services to almost all inhabited Indonesian islands; albeit often with long travel times. On the other hand, the ferry company asdp indonesia ferry uses speedboats. There are ferry services between Sumatra, Sulawesi and Kalimantan. Regular ferry services also exist between Java and Sumatra and between Ketapang (Java) and Gilimanuk (Bali). The Kapuas River in western Kalimantan is an important link between different areas. For more information, contact the Indonesia Tourist Bureau.
